Senior UX Researcher - VP

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior UX Researcher - VP

Company: Citi

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: UX Research

Date Posted: 2025-06-10T00:00:00

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Lead foundational and evaluative user research initiatives within the Enterprise Technologies domain, specifically focusing on AML and Sanctions technologies.
• Apply comprehensive user research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, to inform product and design strategy.
• Translate complex user insights and research data into actionable recommendations for UX designers, product managers, and engineering teams.
• Champion user-centered design principles and research best practices within a highly regulated financial services environment.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute a diverse range of user research studies, including in-depth interviews, co-creation sessions, journey mapping workshops, usability testing, concept validation, and surveys.
• Analyze research findings, synthesize complex data, and generate clear, actionable insights and recommendations that directly inform design decisions and product roadmaps.
• Present research outcomes and strategic recommendations effectively to various stakeholders, including senior leadership, product teams, compliance officers, and engineering colleagues.
• Foster a culture of research integration by collaborating closely with UX Design, Product Management, and Engineering teams to ensure research findings are understood and utilized throughout the product lifecycle.
• Provide expert guidance and uphold rigorous standards for research methodologies, data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring ethical practices and compliance within a regulated environment.
• Define and track key user experience metrics to benchmark performance, measure the impact of design changes, and inform data-driven prioritization of research efforts.
• Develop innovative approaches and creative solutions for recruiting and conducting research with specialized or hard-to-reach user populations relevant to financial compliance technologies.
• Contribute to the growth and development of the UX team by mentoring junior researchers and designers on research techniques, best practices, and professional development.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends, tools, and advancements in UX research, user experience design, and relevant financial technology domains.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is preferred and often valued for contributing to advanced research methodologies and strategic thinking in a financial context.

Experience: Extensive relevant UX research experience, typically 5-10 years, with a significant portion gained within a highly regulated industry, such as financial services, healthcare, or pharmaceuticals, and experience in B2B or enterprise settings. A strong portfolio demonstrating leadership in comprehensive research projects from planning to impact is essential.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in designing, planning, and conducting both qualitative and quantitative user research studies (e.g., interviews, usability testing, surveys, card sorting, diary studies).
• Proven ability to synthesize complex research data, identify key insights, and translate them into actionable design and product recommendations.
• Strong command of Design Thinking methodologies and experience facilitating workshops to drive innovation and problem-solving based on user needs.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present research findings clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior executives.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders, build relationships, and influence decision-making through research insights.
• Proficiency with research tools such as EnjoyHQ for research repositories, Qualtrics or similar for surveys, and collaborative tools like Figma/Figjam for workshops and synthesis.
• Experience mentoring or guiding other researchers or designers in research practices and methodologies.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail for rigorous data analysis and interpretation.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working within an Agile development environment and integrating research seamlessly into iterative product cycles.
• Familiarity with the financial services industry, particularly Anti-Money Laundering (AML) or Sanctions technologies, including regulatory requirements and user needs in this domain.
• Experience with statistical analysis or advanced quantitative research methods.

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase detailed case studies that highlight your end-to-end research process, from defining research objectives and selecting methodologies to data collection, analysis, and synthesis of insights.
• Demonstrate your ability to translate research findings into clear, actionable recommendations and illustrate the impact of your research on product and design outcomes.
• Include examples of research artifacts such as research plans, interview guides, usability test scripts, affinity diagrams, user journey maps, personas, and research reports.
• Present your ability to conduct research in complex or regulated environments and address challenges in recruiting or accessing target user populations.

Process Documentation:

• Document your approach to the research and discovery phase, including how you identify knowledge gaps, formulate research questions, and select appropriate methodologies to address business and user needs.
• Illustrate your methods for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data, identifying patterns, and generating meaningful insights that inform the ideation and iteration phases of design.
• Explain your strategies for validating design concepts and usability through testing and how you incorporate user feedback into the design refinement process.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £70,000 - £100,000 per annum. This estimate is based on typical salary ranges for a Senior UX Researcher or VP-level individual contributor role in the financial services sector in London, UK. Factors influencing the specific salary offered will include the candidate's precise level of experience, depth of expertise in relevant domains (e.g., AML/Sanctions, B2B enterprise), and the negotiation process. Data sources for this estimate include Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry reports adjusted for the London market and financial services sector.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs, potentially including medical, dental, and vision insurance, tailored to the UK healthcare system.
• Retirement savings plans, such as a company-sponsored pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays, providing flexibility for work-life balance.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and access to resources for continuous learning in UX research and financial technology.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses and participation in employee stock programs.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 9 AM - 5 PM, Monday to Friday. Flexibility may be required based on project needs, global team collaboration, and conducting research sessions with participants in different time zones. The financial services environment often requires a commitment to meeting project deadlines and regulatory requirements.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Financial Services. Citi is a global bank with a vast range of services, operating within a highly regulated and complex market environment. Design and technology play a critical role in enhancing user experiences for internal platforms, client-facing applications, and compliance systems within this industry.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees (approximately 195,000+ globally). Working at a company of this size means navigating a large organizational structure, collaborating with numerous teams across different business units and geographies, and contributing to products with a global reach and significant impact.

Founded: 1812. With over 200 years of history, Citi has a deeply established presence in the financial sector. This history influences its culture, emphasizing stability, compliance, and robust processes, which in turn shapes the design and research challenges and opportunities.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within Enterprise Technologies, focusing on AML and Sanctions technologies, indicating a focus on internal tools and systems used by compliance and operations professionals.
• Collaboration will be key with UX Design, Product Management, Business (specifically Compliance), and Engineering colleagues, suggesting a cross-functional team model focused on specific technology domains.
• There is mention of mentoring junior researchers and designers, indicating a potential for leadership within the UX team, even if not a direct managerial role.

Methodology:

• Research methodologies will encompass both generative research (e.g., user interviews, journey mapping, co-creation) to understand user needs and evaluative research (e.g., usability testing, concept testing, surveys) to validate design solutions.
• The mention of integrating research insights with quantitative data suggests an emphasis on a mixed-methods approach to gain a comprehensive understanding of user behavior and journey performance.
• The role requires working with existing and planned Citi infrastructure, implying a need to adapt research approaches to established systems and processes within a large enterprise environment.

Company Website: http://www.citigroup.com

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: This role is positioned as a Senior UX Researcher - VP. Within Citi's structure, a VP is typically a senior individual contributor or a leader of a specific function or project. This level signifies deep expertise, the ability to lead complex initiatives, influence strategy, and potentially mentor others. The scope of responsibility involves leading significant research projects within a critical domain (AML/Sanctions).

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Senior UX Researcher - VP would likely report to a Director or Managing Director within the Technology or Design organization, potentially within a dedicated UX Research or Design Operations function supporting Enterprise Technologies. Collaboration across various business lines (Compliance) and technology teams is central.

Design Impact: Design and research in this role have a direct impact on the usability, efficiency, and compliance of critical internal systems used by financial professionals. By providing robust user insights, the researcher directly influences the design and development of tools that safeguard assets, manage risk, and ensure regulatory adherence, impacting operational effectiveness and potentially mitigating financial and reputational risks for the bank.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement within the UX Research track towards more strategic leadership roles or principal researcher positions, focusing on broader research initiatives or specific areas of expertise within financial technology.
• Opportunities to specialize in specific areas of financial services UX research, such as compliance technologies, trading platforms, or client relationship management systems.
• Potential to transition into leadership roles within the broader UX or Technology organization, leveraging experience in leading projects and mentoring others.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: Corporate Office Environment. The role is explicitly listed as on-site in London, indicating work will be primarily conducted within a traditional corporate office setting, likely within one of Citi's main buildings in Canary Wharf.

Office Location(s): 33 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom. This location is a major financial hub, offering access to public transport and being part of a large corporate campus environment.

Design Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a professional office environment, potentially with dedicated areas for collaboration, meetings, and individual work.
• Access to meeting rooms and technology for conducting remote research sessions and collaborating with global teams is expected.
• Opportunities for informal interaction and collaboration with design, product, and engineering teams within the office space are likely.

Work Schedule: Full-time, on-site. The work schedule will primarily follow standard business hours in London. Given the global nature of Citi's operations, occasional early or late meetings may be required to collaborate with teams in different time zones, particularly in the US or Asia. The on-site nature implies a need to be physically present in the London office for the majority of the work week.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Initial HR screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and fit within Citi's corporate structure and compliance requirements. Prepare to discuss your relevant experience in regulated industries and B2B/enterprise settings.
• Interview(s) with members of the UX Research and Design team to delve into your research methodologies, process, and experience with different types of studies. Be prepared to walk through specific case studies from your portfolio.
• Interview(s) with Product Managers, Business Stakeholders (Compliance), and Engineering leads to assess your ability to collaborate cross-functionally, translate research insights into actionable outcomes, and influence product strategy.
• A portfolio presentation where you will showcase your most relevant case studies, focusing on your research approach, findings, recommendations, and the impact of your work on product development and user experience in complex domains.
• Potential for a design or research challenge or case study exercise, requiring you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills, research design capabilities, and ability to synthesize information under timed conditions. This could involve analyzing a given problem related to financial technology or compliance systems.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate case studies that specifically highlight your experience conducting UX research in regulated industries, B2B, or enterprise environments. Focus on projects related to complex systems, compliance tools, or internal platforms.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the research objectives, the methodologies you employed (both qualitative and quantitative), the key findings, and the actionable recommendations you provided.
• Emphasize the impact of your research on design decisions, product development, and business outcomes (e.g., improved efficiency, reduced risk, increased user satisfaction). Quantify impact where possible.
• Showcase your process documentation, including how you planned studies, recruited participants (especially in challenging populations), analyzed data, and synthesized insights.

Challenge Preparation:

• If a design or research challenge is assigned, carefully read and understand the prompt. Structure your response clearly, outlining your proposed research approach, methodology, and expected outcomes.
• Prioritize the most critical research questions and methods given any time constraints. Demonstrate your ability to think strategically about research design.
• Be prepared to articulate your rationale for your chosen approach and explain how your research would inform design and product decisions.

ATS Keywords: UX Research, User Research, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Design Thinking, Usability Testing, User Interviews, Journey Mapping, Concept Testing, Surveys, Stakeholder Management, Research Methodologies, Financial Services, AML, Sanctions, Enterprise Software, B2B, Agile, EnjoyHQ, Qualtrics, Figma, Figjam, User-Centered Design, Information Architecture, Interaction Design, Service Design, Research Strategy, Insight Synthesis, Data Analysis, User Psychology, Compliance, Regulation, Accessibility, Inclusive Design.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• EnjoyHQ or similar research repository tools for organizing, storing, and analyzing research data, ensuring insights are easily accessible and shareable across teams.
• Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, or other survey platforms for designing, distributing, and analyzing quantitative research data from large user groups.
• Figma, Figjam, Miro, or similar collaborative whiteboarding tools for facilitating remote or in-person workshops, synthesis sessions, and brainstorming activities with cross-functional teams.
• Usability testing platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback) for conducting remote or moderated usability studies and capturing user interactions.

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Jira, Confluence, or similar project management and documentation tools for tracking research activities, managing project timelines, and documenting research plans and findings for broader team access.
• Slack, Microsoft Teams, or other communication platforms for daily collaboration and communication with design, product, engineering, and business teams.
• Potentially Figma or Sketch for reviewing design prototypes and collaborating with UX designers during the design iteration process.

Research & Testing:

• Analytics platforms (e.g., Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics) for integrating quantitative usage data with qualitative research findings to provide a holistic view of user behavior (though direct access and analysis might be done by data analysts, understanding the data is key).
• Specialized tools for conducting research in regulated environments, which may include secure platforms for data collection and storage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Focus on user-centered design principles within the constraints of a highly regulated environment. This involves balancing user needs with compliance requirements and security protocols.
• Emphasis on data-driven decision-making, where research insights and quantitative data are used to inform and validate design and product choices.
• Collaboration and communication are highly valued, requiring researchers to work effectively with diverse teams across different functions and geographies.
• Commitment to rigor and quality in research methodologies and analysis, ensuring that findings are reliable, valid, and actionable within a critical domain like AML/Sanctions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential, working closely with product managers to define research priorities, with designers to inform design solutions, and with engineers to ensure research insights are implemented effectively.
• Regular communication and presentation of research findings to stakeholders across different levels of the organization, including senior leadership and compliance experts.
• Participation in design critiques and team meetings to share progress, discuss findings, and contribute to a collaborative design and research process.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Navigating the complexities of a highly regulated industry (AML/Sanctions) and integrating user needs within strict compliance requirements and technical constraints. This requires a deep understanding of both user behavior and regulatory frameworks.
• Conducting research with specialized user populations (e.g., compliance officers, risk managers) who may have limited availability or require specific recruitment strategies.
• Translating complex technical and regulatory information into understandable research insights and communicating them effectively to diverse stakeholder groups with varying levels of familiarity with UX research.
• Working within a large, established organization with existing infrastructure and processes, requiring adaptability and strategic thinking to implement effective research practices and drive change.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen expertise in UX research methodologies tailored for complex enterprise systems and regulated environments, potentially exploring areas like service design or behavioral economics in a financial context.
• Enhance understanding of financial crime compliance domains (AML, Sanctions) and the specific user needs and workflows within these areas.
• Develop leadership and mentoring skills by guiding junior team members and contributing to the growth of the UX research practice within the organization.
• Opportunities to participate in industry conferences, workshops, and training programs focused on UX research, financial technology, or compliance.

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Be prepared to discuss your end-to-end UX research process for a complex enterprise project. Walk through a specific case study from your portfolio, explaining your approach to defining research objectives, selecting methodologies, conducting studies, analyzing data, and synthesizing insights.
• Describe a time you faced a challenge in recruiting participants for a research study, particularly in a B2B or regulated environment, and how you overcame it.
• Explain how you prioritize research questions and select the most appropriate methodologies given project constraints and business objectives.

Company Culture Questions:

• Research Citi's values and strategic priorities, particularly within their technology and compliance divisions. Be prepared to discuss how your research approach aligns with these values and how you would contribute to a data-driven and user-centered culture within the organization.
• Discuss your experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders, and how you build relationships and influence decision-making through research.
• Ask insightful questions about the design team structure, collaboration practices, and how research insights are integrated into the product development lifecycle within Enterprise Technologies.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 2-3 case studies that best showcase your experience with complex enterprise systems, regulated environments, and your ability to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research.
• For each case study, clearly articulate the problem you were trying to solve, your research objectives, the methodologies you used, your key findings, and the specific, actionable recommendations you provided.
• Highlight the impact of your research on design decisions, product outcomes, and business value, using metrics or qualitative evidence where possible.
• Be prepared to discuss your research process in detail, including how you handled challenges, adapted your approach, and collaborated with stakeholders.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your specific experience in UX research within regulated industries (especially financial services), B2B or enterprise settings, and your expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Use relevant ATS keywords throughout your application materials.
• Prepare your online portfolio to showcase detailed case studies of your most impactful research projects, focusing on your process, findings, recommendations, and the resulting impact on product and design. Ensure case studies demonstrate experience with complex systems and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Research Citi, their Enterprise Technologies division, and the specific challenges and user needs within AML and Sanctions technologies to demonstrate your understanding of the context and your potential contributions.